Pacific bluefin tuna. (Photo Credit: aes256 - CC BY-SA 2.5)

Govt plans to limit Pacific bluefin tuna catch

JAPAN
Friday, August 29, 2014, 04:40 (GMT + 9)

The Japanese Government intends to reduce the catch of immature Pacific bluefin tuna and prevent overfishing of the high-priced fish by implementing common regulations internationally, out of criteria currently adopted independently by Japan.

Last year, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), including Japan, the United States and South Korea among its members, agreed to cut each nation’s 2014 haul of immature fish by at least 15 per cent from the 2002-04 average. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) claims that, without more significant cuts, bluefin tuna runs the risk of disappearing from the Pacific Ocean, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

In the case of Japan, the Government is to limit the haul of immature fish to 4,007 tonnes, starting next year. Specifically, this limit is to be split into a 2,000-ton quota for purse seine fishing, from boats using large nets, and 2,007 tons for coastal fishing, such as by fixed shore nets.

Besides, the Government will for the first time set catch limits on a regional basis based on hauls from previous years and is planning to ask other nations to cut their catches by half as well, at a WCPFC subcommittee meeting in Fukuoka on 14 September.

"Bluefin tuna is virtually the main resource in waters around Japan. Japan must take the lead in protecting that resource,” said Masanori Miyahara, president of Japan's Fisheries Research Agency, during a meeting with tuna fishermen in Tokyo, AFP informed.

The Agency officials informed that warnings and alerts will be issued to relevant fishery organizations through email or phone calls as soon as it is determined that catch totals are approaching the ceilings, The Japan Times informed.

The agency also plans to post such warnings and alerts on its website to raise awareness among consumers about the importance of appropriate management of tuna, which is indispensable for sushi and other Japanese cuisine.

The new warning system covers fishing of immature tuna weighing less than 30 kg around Japan by fixed nets, towed nets and other methods. The warning system will not cover purse seine fishing because tighter controls are already in place for that method.

The shift in Japan's policy towards more radical conservation has been welcomed by NGOs like Greenpeace.

“We give credit to the Fisheries Agency for finally taking serious action as it had done virtually nothing beforehand,” Greenpeace Japan's Wakao Hanaoka, an expert in marine ecology, stressed.

“But we have to say that its actions are still not enough because bluefin tuna could make the list of endangered species any time,” Hanaoka added.

A WCPFC meeting is also planned for December. If member nations do not eventually agree to Japan’s proposal, there is a possibility of entering next year with no restrictions in place.

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